Latest news with #healthcommission
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
RFK Jr's ‘Maha' report found to contain citations to nonexistent studies
Robert F Kennedy Jr's flagship health commission report contains citations to studies that do not exist, according to an investigation by the US publication Notus. The report exposes glaring scientific failures from a health secretary who earlier this week threatened to ban government scientists from publishing in leading medical journals. The 73-page 'Make America healthy again' report – which was commissioned by the Trump administration to examine the causes of chronic illness, and which Kennedy promoted it as 'gold-standard' science backed by more than 500 citations – includes references to seven studies that appear to be entirely invented, and others that the researchers say have been mischaracterized. Two supposed studies on ADHD medication advertising simply do not exist in the journals where they are claimed to be published. Virginia Commonwealth University confirmed to Notus that researcher Robert L Findling, listed as an author of one paper, never wrote such an article, while another citation leads only to the Kennedy report itself when searched online. Harold J Farber, a pediatric specialist supposedly behind research on asthma overprescribing, told Notus he never wrote the cited paper and had never worked with the other listed authors. The US Department of Health and Human Services has not immediately responded to a Guardian request for comment. The citation failures come as Kennedy, a noted skeptic of vaccines, criticized medical publishing this week, branding top journals the Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine and Jama as 'corrupt' and alleging they were controlled by pharmaceutical companies. He outlined plans for creating government-run journals instead. Beyond the phantom studies in Kennedy's report, Notus found it systematically misrepresented existing research. For example, one paper was claimed to show that talking therapy was as effective as psychiatric medication, but the statistician Joanne McKenzie said this was impossible, as 'we did not include psychotherapy' in the review. The sleep researcher Mariana G Figueiro also said her study was mischaracterized, with the report incorrectly stating it involved children rather than college students, and citing the wrong journal entirely. The Trump administration asked Kennedy for the report in order to look at chronic illness causes, from pesticides to mobile phone radiation. Kennedy called it a 'milestone' that provides 'evidence-based foundation' for sweeping policy changes. A follow-up 'Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy' report is due in August, raising concerns about the scientific credibility underpinning the administration's health agenda.
South China Morning Post
14-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Chinese hospital offers IVF for single women, allows them to meet, evaluate sperm donors
A private hospital in eastern China is under investigation for offering illegal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services specifically for single women, allowing them to meet and choose sperm donors. The Nantai Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, located in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, was shut down and is being probed by the local health commission after a media outlet uncovered its illicit IVF operations. Not listed among the official hospitals authorised to provide these services, the facility advertised that it could help single women conceive for a minimum fee of about 100,000 yuan (US$14,000). An unidentified doctor from the hospital informed Shandian News that the sperm is sourced directly from donors, who are primarily young men around 25 years old. The doctor explained that clients could select a donor based on various criteria, including appearance, educational background, nationality, and even the option to meet the donor in person. The hospital permitted clients to choose a donor based on various criteria, including physical appearance, educational background, nationality, and even the opportunity to meet the donor in person. Photo: Shutterstock 'You can choose graduates from prestigious universities involved in the '985' and '211' initiatives, or men holding a master's or PhD degree. The cost increases with the level of education,' the doctor noted.
